1835 Burritt - Huntington Map of the Constellations by Month (4 Maps)

Beautifully colored set of four celestial maps showing the constellations throughout the year.

$1,000.00

Title

January February March. April May June. July August September. October November December. 1835 (dated) 14 x 13.5 in (35.56 x 34.29 cm)

Description

This is a beautifully hand colored set of four maps depicting the night sky in the twelve months of the year, by Elijah Burritt. Each sheet features the stars and constellation in the night sky over a quarter. On each of the charts, the constellations are drawn in detail and include depictions of the Zodiacal figures the stars are said to represent.

The first map (image top left) represents the sky in the months of January, February and March. Included on this chart are Taurus (the Bull), Gemini (the Twins), Cancer (the Crab), Canis Major (the Greater Dog), Canis Minor (the Lesser Dog) and Orion. The second map (image top right) represents the sky in the months of April, May and June. Included on this chart are Leo (the Lion), Virgo (the Virgin), Bootes, Hydra (the Snake) and the Centaur, among others. The map representing the months of July, August and September (image bottom left) feature Scorpio (the Scorpion), Sagittarius (the Archer), Capricorn (the Goat), Serpentarins (the Serpent Bearer) and Taurus (the Bull). The fourth chart (image bottom right) depicts the night sky as it appears in the last quarter of the year, October, November and December. Included on this chart are Aquarius (the Water Bearer), Aries (the Ram), Pisces (the Fish), Capricorn (the Sea Goat) and Cetus (the Whale).

All four maps are quartered by lines indicating the Solstitial and Equinoctial Colures. These maps, like all of Burritt's charts, are based on the celestial cartographic work of Pardies and Doppelmayr. The maps were engraved by W. G. Evans under the direction of E. H. Burritt and issued as plate nos. II, III, IV and V in the New Edition of F. J. Huntington's Atlas, Designed To Illustrate The Geography Of The Heavens. The present example is exceptional in that only a small percentage of the first edition of Burritt atlases featured individually colorized constellations. In subsequent editions, the constellation charts received a general, but non-specific wash. It is also significant to note that the condition of this set is superior to any other Burritt we have seen, which are typicaly rough due to being printed on low quality paper and heavy use under demanding conditions.

Cartographer

Elijah Burritt and F. J. Huntington produced their important Burritt's Geography of the Heavens out of their offices in Hartford, Connecticut, from approximately 1833 to 1856. The work, while primarily educational in nature, was the seminal American geography of the period. Much of the nomenclature they developed, especially regarding the visible stars and constellations of the Southern Hemisphere, is still in use today. The Atlas itself consisted of eight charts depicting the Heavens seasonally and hemispherically. Constellations were depicted figurally though only the most important stars were noted. The Geography of the Heavens was the last decorative Celestial reference in the 19th century. Burrit's Geography was among the most prized possessions of fantasy / horror writer H.P. Lovecraft who wrote:

"My maternal grandmother, who died when I was six, was a devoted lover of astronomy, having made that a specialty at Lapham Seminary, where she was educated; and though she never personally showed me the beauties of the skies, it is to her excellent but somewhat obsolete collection of astronomical books that I owe my affection for celestial science. Her copy of Burritt's Geography of the Heavens is today the most prized volume in my library." (to Maurice W. Moe, 1 January 1915)

As a side note Elijah Burritt is the brother of the more famous Elihu Burritt, who was known for his philanthropic and social work.

Source

Burritt, E., Atlas, Designed To Illustrate The Geography Of The Heavens, New Edition, (Huntington and Savage) 1835.

Condition

Very good. Set of four maps. It is also significant to note that the condition of this set is superior to any other Burritt we have seen, which are typicaly rough due to being printed on low quality paper and heavy use under demanding conditions. Noted size represents a single sheet.

About Geographicus

We are specialist dealers in fine and rare antiquarian cartography and historic maps of the 15th through 19th centuries. A large portion of our constantly growing and changing inventory of authentic antique maps is available here in our online gallery for your study and enjoyment. Here at Geographicus Rare Antique Maps we are passionate collectors and students of historic maps as well as dealers. As you browse our online gallery of rare maps you will enjoy some of the highest resolution images and most thoroughly researched studies of our individual offerings available anywhere. We are pleased to share our knowledge and experience with interested individuals and institutions.